Your Nurse Leader Voice Matters! Comment on the Federal Rule governing graduate degree tuition loan limits

The Federal Department of Education (DOE) has issued its final proposed rule which does not include nursing among the professional degree designations eligible for higher federal loan limits. Commentary on the ruling is open until March 2nd. NYONL strongly urges all nurse leaders to submit a comment to ensure the DOE understands how limiting federal loans will affect nursing students, graduate programs, and the nation’s healthcare workforce. 

Please personalize your comment!  A cogent description of the impact will be made only if each nurse leader shares their unique perspective. However, in crafting your comment, be sure to include this exact phrase: "I urge the inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, Ph.D.) explicitly in the list of professional degrees.”  The entire nursing community has decided on using this phrase to keep a united voice.

While this proposed rule affects many professions, only nurse leaders can fully articulate the necessity of professional degree classification for nursing professional careers and the health care workforce.  It's essential that we elevate the leadership perspective in the comments, ensuring the nurse leader voice is explicitly heard in the broader professional degree definition conversation.

A complete response from the Nursing Tri-Council and an AONL Fact Sheet are attached and contains some additional suggested talking points.

Policymakers need to hear directly from nurses about what's at stake. Your voice matters! Please take the time to submit your comment by March 2. Click here:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/30/2026-01912/reimagining-and-improving-student-education then click on "Submit a Public Comment."

Thank you for engaging in advocacy on this important issue to the nursing profession and the health of our communities!